Friday, 29 August 2014

Herbal Party Series: HIBISCUS

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the break last week. Moving right along today, if you just joined us, some weeks ago, we announced that several powders/herbs are available on the African Naturalistas store. (FYI quite a few are actually sold out now). And I was excited to see that too, but then when I clicked on the post, I was a trifle confused because I didn't know what 75% of them were, how they're used and what their benefits are. I know there's at least someone out there who's in the same boat, so we've started a series with a focus on all the herbs posted, so that we can learn a thing or two.

We've learned about Amla, Shikakai and Neem so far, and today we have HIBISCUS on the lineup!

According to Wikipedia, it comes from the family Malvaceae, and the plant is native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical climates around the world. It has many different species and varieties and comes in a plethora of colors, but the one we're most interested in today is the red-colored flower. Hibiscus is used for many different things, such as food, tea and it's also the main component of Zobo drink here in Nigeria.

HAIR USE
Hibiscus powder is used in Ayurvedic practice, and is thought to have many benefits such as

Encourages hair growth by stimulating circulation

Discourages split ends

Prevents pre-mature greying of the hair strands

Thickens hair

A mild cleanser that helps with toxin elimination

A great hair color/dye for natural hair especially in combination with henna (points culled from here)

You can also mix hibiscus powder with other powders, including amla, henna (like Lola did), or even in your tea rinse! It's that great.

HOW TO USE IT

Please be advised that hibiscus powder is red and it can stain your bathtub or shower, so be careful with application, and make sure to rinse or wash off your tub and hands as soon as you're done. Lola wrote about her experience with henna and hibiscus here and had red palms for 2 weeks.

Also, from what I've read, if you're looking to have that red color, hibiscus alone won't do it - you'll have to mix it with henna. I think it's something I might try in the future. Nappily Nigerian Girl used hers as a conditioning rinse.

To use hibiscus powder in your natural hair treatment, mix it with oils and/or other powders of your choice and form a paste. Massage the paste into your scalp and wait for a while (at least 30 minutes) before rinsing off. You can cover with a plastic cap and sit under a steamer too. Make sure it's all rinsed off COMPLETELY.

Lola with henna and hibiscus mix on her natural hair

You can learn more about Hibiscus for Natural Hair in the following video.

Remember, try new things on a small section of hair first to ensure that you don't have any negative reactions.

You can order Hibiscus powder and others from the African Naturalistas store.

Can hardly wait to try it on my hair even though I'm relaxed. Emm the drink Zobo comes from a different species of hibiscus from the one featured here, in fact they look nothing alike. That one is hibiscus sabdariffa and this is hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is also edible. The two types you mentioned can produce drinks, but I understand what you mean cos its the former that is native to west africa. Thanks for the clarification. The good thing is that the two are also used on hair.